A Sparta man died early Wednesday morning after rolling his vehicle on M-57 in Courtland Township.

According to the Michigan State Police Rockford Post, the crash occurred on M-57 (14 Mile Rd) shortly after 6 a.m., November 1. The investigation showed that a 2004 Chevrolet Impala, driven by Vincent John Cooper, 20, of Sparta, was travelling eastbound on M-57 near Berrigan Ave. and attempted to overtake a semi-truck, also eastbound on M-57. The Impala drove off onto the left shoulder of the roadway, lost control, then spun back across the roadway before striking a curb on the right shoulder of the roadway, going into the ditch, and rolling multiple times.

Cooper was ejected from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. Police said he was not wearing his seatbelt and speed is believed to be a factor in the crash.

The Michigan State Police were assisted at the scene by the Courtland Twp. Fire Department, Rockford Ambulance, and Kent County Road Commission.

Two semi truck drivers escaped with only minor injuries after both rigs jack-knifed on US131 Wednesday morning.

According to the Michigan State Police at Lakeview, the accident occurred shortly after 5 a.m. on March 18, on US131 southbound south of Pierson Road.

The investigation found that a semi-truck pulling a trailer had pulled to the right shoulder with some mechanical issues, and no rear facing lights on the trailer. A second semi-truck was traveling south and was forced to the shoulder to avoid a collision with a passenger car. In the attempt to avoid the passenger car, the semi struck the rear of the parked semi-truck and trailer. Both drivers were treated at the scene for minor injuries.

The freeway was shut down for several hours. Clean-up of the two jack-knifed semi-trucks was extensive, as well as the clean-up of the fuel that had leaked.

Police said alcohol is not believed to be a factor.

The accident was investigated by MSP with the assistance of Sand Lake and Cedar Springs Fire Departments.

Howard City Police said that a semi truck driver pulled out in front of an oncoming car Monday, causing an accident.

According to Howard City Police Chief Steve DeWitt, the accident occurred about 7:30 a.m. Monday, December 2, on M-46 near Edgar Rd., in front of the M-46 Truck Stop. The police investigation showed that a 2014 Freight liner semi truck and trailer driven by a 51-year-old Levering, Michigan man pulled out of the truck stop and was attempting to turn westbound onto M-46 and turned into the path of an eastbound Buick Regal driven by a 44-year-old Morley man.

The Buick reportedly struck the rear axle of the semi trailer causing the dual axles of the trailer to be ripped off and the trailer dropped to the ground.
The Buick suffered severe frontend damage and its driver had to be extricated from the vehicle. He was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The driver of the semi truck was cited for fail to yield the right of way.

M-46 was shut down to traffic for nearly three hours.

Howard City Police was assisted at the scene by the Montcalm Co. Sheriff Department, the Michigan State Police Commercial Motor Carrier division, Montcalm County EMS, and the Howard City Fire Department.